Photo by Richard Hurd
Student Demand Drives Expansion of Career and Technical Education Opportunities in MMSD
MADISON, Wis.—As part of February’s national Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month recognition, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is spotlighting the breadth of career-connected learning opportunities available to students and the growing number who are taking advantage of them.
During the 2025–26 school year, more than 4,500 MMSD high school students are enrolled in at least one CTE course, up from 3,890 just two years ago. More than 2,000 students are taking two or more courses, while more than 200 are deeply engaged in four or more classes aligned to a specific career pathway.
The increasing participation reflects both strong student interest and a deliberate effort to expand hands-on, future-focused learning experiences.
“CTE plays a vital role in helping students see what’s possible for their futures,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “These experiences connect academic learning to real-world application, build confidence and ensure students graduate with both the knowledge and the practical skills needed to thrive in college, career and community.”
MMSD offers a broad range of high school CTE programs spanning skilled trades and high-growth industries. The largest areas of enrollment include Culinary & Hospitality (1,246 students), Marketing & Sales (1,121), Business & Financial Operations (772), Healthcare Occupations (721), Auto Technology (727) and Construction & Carpentry (668). Culinary 1: The Essentials is the district’s most enrolled CTE course, with more than 880 students participating.
Additional pathways continue to expand, including Engineering & Manufacturing (281), Digital Technology & Game Design (352), Information Technology (208) and Education & Training (246), where students gain classroom experience supporting MMSD 4K programs. East High School also hosts the district’s unique Barbering & Cosmetology program (113 students).
Many programs include industry partnerships and dual-credit opportunities, including Certified Nursing Assistant coursework, school-based credit union internships in partnership with Summit Credit Union and advanced IT academies through Madison College.
At the middle school level, district leaders continue building earlier exposure to career pathways, ensuring students can begin exploring interests before entering high school. That work includes both in-school coursework and expanded out-of-school programming.
“Introducing career exploration in the middle grades helps students make more informed decisions as they move into high school pathways,” said Nar Doumbya, CTE specialist for middle schools. “It gives them time to discover strengths, build foundational skills and see how their interests can translate into meaningful careers.”
One example is the district’s free CTE Summer Discovery program for middle school students, which continues to grow in both size and scope. The program provides hands-on experiences led by licensed CTE educators, allowing students to explore fields such as skilled trades, technology and design while building connections with peers and industry partners.
CTE programming is further supported through industry partnerships, dual-credit opportunities and facilities designed to replicate professional environments. Many of these learning spaces were modernized through recent school construction and renovation projects, allowing students to train on industry-standard equipment.
Throughout CTE Month, MMSD schools will host classroom showcases, student demonstrations and partnership highlights that elevate the impact of career-connected learning across the district.
By aligning coursework to high-demand fields and providing early, hands-on exposure, MMSD aims to ensure graduates leave high school with clear direction, valuable credentials and confidence in their next steps.
For more information about the district’s CTE offerings, please visit the MMSD website.
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About the Madison Metropolitan School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.